Canada beats Italy by five wickets

Canada defeated Italy by five wickets in a Group A encounter in the 50th match of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (November 24).

Opting to bat, Italy posted 104 for 6 from its 20 overs but couldn't restrict Canada, which went past the target in the final over for the loss of five wickets.

Italy lost Andy Northcote, Gareth Berg and Peter Petricola early in the innings, but Damian Crowley, who remained unbeaten on 61, shared partnerships of 39 and 20 towards the end with Alessandro Bonora and Dinidu Marage.

Jeremy Gordon picked up three wickets, while Junaid Siddiqui, Abzal Dean and Hiral Patel picked up one each.

Canada's chase was hampered by Gayashan Munasinghe, who dismissed Ruvindu Gunasekera off the first ball of the match. He then picked up the wickets of Patel and Ashish Bagai, leaving Canada struggling at 14 for 3.

Rizwan Cheema (34) then shared a 73-run partnership with Jimmy Hansra for the fourth wicket before Hansra was caught behind off Madupa Fernando for 32 and Cheema was dismissed by Crowley in the next over. Damodar Daesrath and Raza-ur-Rehman then took Canada over the line.

Munasinghe picked up three wickets, while Crowley and Fernando picked up one apiece.

Italy finished fifth in the Group A table after the win, while Canada finished sixth having won only two games in the tournament.